The New official Patriots vs Steelers Post game thread.

[Deus Irae]

I don't remember a whole lot of specifics about that game (selective memory), but it was definitely new. That's the Pats' weakness right now. They're quite possibly the best in the league at preparation, so teams just have to pull out a new trick to leave the Pats completely clueless until they manage to adjust, at which point it's just a matter of staying ahead in adjustments.

You've got this all mixed up. It's not about staying ahead in adjustments. It's about not having the talent on the field. The result of not having enough talent on the field is that they HAVE to out coach their opponents or they get beat.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Patriots are the Pig that built its House from Straw

We had 5 sacks today. Whatever problems there are, are with the secondary. 5 sacks on Rothlisburger with no pass defense is actually outstanding IMO.

 

[brady199]

Re: Patriots are the Pig that built its House from Straw

I am so puzzled how a team with huge surplusses in premium draft picks can field such a mediocre defense. Castoffs, Jags and a few home grown boys....but not one special athlete.
On offense, the lack of speed at WR is mind boggling.

Price looked pretty fast today, Brady just underthrew him. Also I think, McCourty is a special athlete, he just hasn't been playing well, and not sure if you've ever seen the big guy out there #75? Ya, he's a special athlete for sure.

 

[mb6592]

I disagree. It's not about making sure you don't hurt a unit's feelings. It's about winning. What did you see in that game up to that point that gave you confidence the Patriots would force a 3 and out?

of course, which is why Belichick kicked the onside.

 

[letekro]

Re: Patriots are the Pig that built its House from Straw

We had 5 sacks today. Whatever problems there are, are with the secondary. 5 sacks on Rothlisburger with no pass defense is actually outstanding IMO.

I call BS. They were ALL coverage sacks after Ben held the ball for like 10 seconds.

 

[JFK]

After today's game, 85 has no reason to be on this team. He might turn it around but how long would that take?
Owens is at least tall and physical

 

[mb6592]

By the way, for all those saying how much the pressure sucked, we had 5 sacks against probably the toughest QB in the league to bring down. And that's with guys dancing around 5 yards from any coverage on 3rd and 15s.

We had 5 sacks today. Whatever problems there are, are with the secondary. 5 sacks on Rothlisburger with no pass defense is actually outstanding IMO.

3 sacks - you can't count the last two. And that's 3 sacks in 50 attempts. But, the D line was no where near as putrid as the secondary.

 

[Triumph]

This game would have been an absolute blowout if Pitt had Farrior, Ward, Woodley and Smith.

 

[TheSolderKing]

my goodness


Every Team I Fear Will Adopt the Steeler Strategy (they will air it out all day and use and will run more formations that were seen in this game. The 2007 Raven's exposed us [and RUSHED the chit out of TFB]. The 2011 Steeler's have exposed our TERRIBLE passing defense. I realize the MAJORTY of QB's are not as Talented as BIG BEN, but other teams will follow suit and this will keep our D on the field.


Finally teams have figured out that the way you BEAT the Patriot's is keep TFB off of the field

I am officially concerned

 

[Sfpat]

Don't know if this has been mentioned, but after week 1, most considered the Steelers done. They just got embarrassed by the Ravens, the turned the ball over recklessly and the defense was considered old and slow. They've improved a bit since then.

The sun will come up tomorrow. The Pats season isn't over yet (and yes, I now believe the defense stinks)

 

[wpdougie2180]

i know brady has devloped a great repour with deion, but the defense knows that time to find another outlet...

Exactly on both 3 & outs to start each half Brady had open receivers (Ocho on a post where he had beat his man about 18 yards down the field, and Hernandez deep on a post to start the second half) (even on the 1 pass to ocho he over throws him by 5 yards when Ocho was inside and could have been lead across the field instead of being lead deep) but choose to force passes to covered receivers. Now Brady has a reputation for spreading the ball around but I don't see it he has routinely locked in on receivers in the last couple of years in Big games and missed open guys because he doesn't "trust" them or simply looking for guys "trusts".

Now I not bashing Brady it's just an observation I've made in all the games where the O is stifled. Brady really doesn't scan the field like he use to and good D coordinators are able to exploit that. Remember it only takes 1 in the playoffs.

 

[ATippett56]

Let's see .....

The New England Patriots have cut safeties Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders.

The New England Patriots have cut cornerbacks Darius Butler, Jonathan Wilhite, Leigh Bodden.

The New England Patriots have placed cornerback Glass-IR Dowling on injured reserve.

So the New England Patriots are now down to two legitimate NFL cornerbacks and one legitimate NFL safety in the defensive secondary.

Is there a worse pass defense in the NFL because if there is please let me know?

 

[BlueThunder]

Time to see more of Taylor Price and let Ocho be emergency backup at WR....

 

[mb6592]

Let's see .....Is there a worse pass defense in the NFL because if there is please let me know?

I don't think so. McCourty in the midst of a sophmore slump, Chung solid, then what? Arrington passable - maybe?

 

[patsinthesnow]

You know what is aggravating, how other teams are able to turn their Ds around.

The "Bungles" are 5-2 because they built what was a mediocre defense into the best defense in the league (as well as my binky ginger Andy playing well)

Now tell me, how can they build an elite defense but we can't build an average one?

 

[JFK]

Exactly on both 3 & outs to start each half Brady had open receivers (Ocho on a post where he had beat his man about 18 yards down the field, and Hernandez deep on a post to start the second half) (even on the 1 pass to ocho he over throws him by 5 yards when Ocho was inside and could have been lead across the field instead of being lead deep) but choose to force passes to covered receivers. Now Brady has a reputation for spreading the ball around but I don't see it he has routinely looked in on receivers in the last couple of years in Big games and missed open guys because he doesn't "trust" them or simply looking for guys "trusts".

Now I not bashing Brady it's just an observation I've made in all the games where the O is stifled. Brady really doesn't scan the field like he use to and good D coordinators are able to exploit that. Remember it only takes 1 in the playoffs.

I noticed that too

 

[Jangles]

Is there a worse pass defense in the NFL because if there is please let me know?

Silly question.

There hasn't been a pass defense this bad in the history of the NFL.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Why not try Slater at safety, doesn't he play that.

 

[Sciz]

Ben attempted 39 passes within 10 yards today. He was averaging under 20 per game this season prior to today. Today, 78% of his passing attempts were within 10 yards. On the season, it has been 59%.

No matter which way you slice it, the Steelers today played like a different team than the Steelers of any time in the near past.

 

[condon84]

Exactly on both 3 & outs to start each half Brady had open receivers (Ocho on a post where he had beat his man about 18 yards down the field, and Hernandez deep on a post to start the second half) (even on the 1 pass to ocho he over throws him by 5 yards when Ocho was inside and could have been lead across the field instead of being lead deep) but choose to force passes to covered receivers. Now Brady has a reputation for spreading the ball around but I don't see it he has routinely looked in on receivers in the last couple of years in Big games and missed open guys because he doesn't "trust" them or simply looking for guys "trusts".

Now I not bashing Brady it's just an observation I've made in all the games where the O is stifled. Brady really doesn't scan the field like he use to and good D coordinators are able to exploit that. Remember it only takes 1 in the playoffs.

What I'm assuming is that Brady's first option was Branch on both occasions. He probably anticipated pressure on both plays so he assumed he had no time to go through his progressions. But your'e right, on some replays, we had guys going deep who were one on one who seemed to get behind the defense. I saw Gronk on a few plays doing so as well.